News Story
For our Boys in Motion weekend, the participants will learn and work with two veteran Swans who have achieved lifelong and fulfilling careers within the dance industry, and have plenty of experience and wisdom to share with and inspire the next generation of young dancers.
Luke Murphy joined New Adventures in 2006 and has performed in Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands, The Car Man, Nutcracker! and Sleeping Beauty. Paul Smethurst can look back at a 19-year career with New Adventures, first becoming a Swan in 2005. He has also worked extensively as a mentor, teacher and workshop leader in the creative learning sector. As Resident Artist for New Adventures, Paul now leads on all their Children, Young People and Community projects.
How did you first hear about Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake and what inspired you to audition for the production?
Paul Smethurst: I was in my final year of studies at London Studio Centre, doing a BA in Theatre Dance and saw an advert in The Stage stating that New Adventures were looking for new dancers for upcoming productions. The opportunity to potentially be in Swan Lake was an absolute dream, after studying it for A Level, watching it countless times and writing various essays about it. It was the reason I chose to join the Contemporary Dance strand in my 3rd year, as, being more of a Musical Theatre dancer, I wanted to improve my contemporary technique in hope of one day being good enough to be in Swan Lake. As a male, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first saw all the swans flying onto stage in Matthew’s production; so powerful, graceful, ferocious and delicate. I was absolutely mesmerised and obsessed.
In fact, I wasn’t successful in getting an audition, but I kept phoning up the production company in the weeks running up to the audition, asking if I could attend. The day before, I called again; someone had dropped out and they offered me the audition slot. I went into that audition with nothing to lose, just incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to learn this iconic choreography and meet my hero Matthew Bourne. I honestly didn’t think I would get the job, so I just enjoyed every single second of it and danced my heart out. I got a recall and a few weeks later, was offered the job. I joined Swan Lake 3 weeks after I graduated, for the 10th Anniversary tour.
Luke Murphy: Swan Lake had always been on my radar. I joined the company for their international tour of Edward Scissorhands in 2006 and knew the opportunity might come my way if I worked hard enough. In 2009 the show was returning and I was offered a part in the show.
Growing up, did you face any challenges exploring your interest or passion for dance as a young male dancer? If so, how did you overcome them?
Luke Murphy: I started at a young age and as such I was strong and agile. Regardless of my lack of interest in sports at school, the agility and adaptability that dance had taught me meant I was offered and took places in school football and rugby squads. This meant that I had people surrounding me who, regardless of personal interest in dance, respected what it had taught me.
Paul Smethurst: I grew up in a very small country village and was the only boy who danced. I started dance lessons as I grew up watching Musical Films starring the legends Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire and I thought they were just so impressive and stylish and talented, and wanted to be like them. I also remember going to watch my younger sister in a dance show and noticing that there were zero boys in the production. On the spot I asked my mother if I could try dance lessons, because I thought it was so strange and unfair that there were only females on stage. I think at that early age I sensed the gender imbalance in the dance world, but my love of the art form and a fearlessness of being the odd one out kept me going. Sadly, I was quite severely bullied for going to dance classes, and one of my biggest regrets was that I quit ballet aged 9. However, I secretly kept going to modern, tap and jazz classes, because I loved dancing so much; the sense of freedom it gave me outweighing the teasing. I grew a thick skin early on and realised that I wasn’t going to let anybody stop me from doing what made me so happy, and that I was gifted at. A turning point happened when I started Secondary School, where I first encountered what I would now call Contemporary dance. At High School, loads of boys danced, and I had an incredible dance teacher who was a huge champion and advocate for male dancers, which made me feel like I wasn’t so much of an outsider. I finally belonged.
As one of the male artists teaching during the weekend, what do you hope participants will learn and gain from your workshops?
Luke Murphy: I just want everyone to enjoy themselves and feel a sense of connection in the room.
Paul Smethurst: Being in a creative space with others who you identify with, who share commonalities and experiences, can be an incredibly powerful and empowering thing. I am excited offer a space for everyone to show up completely as themselves, step out of their comfort zones and be bold, brave, vulnerable and openhearted. I hope that, following the weekend, participants leave with a sense of belonging, and a deeper understanding that dance can be a joyous, liberating way to express oneself and relate to others.
What words of wisdom would you share with a young person who would like a successful dance career?
Paul Smethurst: Inviting in a sense of wonder and silliness, and bringing and finding joy always creates the best results and positive impact. Take the time to find out who you are as a person, and always try and show up authentically and with integrity. Make sure you have a great support system and invest in it as much as your career. Try to be as open as you can be to diverse opportunities and follow your curiosity. Really know what your values are, listen to your inner compass and know that you can say no.
Luke Murphy: Try to gain as much breadth of knowledge as possible. Diversify your skill set. Even if you want to focus on Ballet or Contemporary, learn as many other styles as deeply as you can, it will all lend itself to you being a more complete dancer.
Who or what are your biggest sources of inspiration when it comes to fueling your creativity?
Luke Murphy: The people you work with. People in the arts come from diverse backgrounds and have different approaches. You can learn something from everyone, whether that’s a perspective, style, or just the way they move itself, keep your eyes and ears open and take inspiration from everyone.
Paul Smethurst: I feel that we live in an overstimulated noisy world crammed with stress, hustle, comparison and a million options and distractions. I find that to be creative I need to make sure I rest, find some quiet, nurture some peace and maybe even get to a place where I am a bit bored, because that is when the imagination has space to ignite and soar. For me, I know that I need to be in nature to feel creative, as its where I can think, feel, and be inspired by the wonder, diversity and uniqueness of the world around me. Stories start to emerge as I wander and explore, or I might be listening to some new music, or be nudged by a new concept whilst listening to a podcast, that points me toward my next creative endeavour.
